The Los Angeles Kings acquired winger Artemi Panarin ahead of the Olympic Trade Freeze on Wednesday, February 4th. Panarin was signed to a two-year extension starting on July 1, 2026, at $11 million per season.
In his first eight months on the job, GM Ken Holland has made more aggressive moves than Rob Blake did as GM. The Kings needed a scoring winger, given their issues as a counterpunching team. Hopefully, Panarin can provide the offence the Kings have to get into the playoffs.
But with the scoring winger need filled, the following job for Kings GM Ken Holland is to get a middle. As Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period told Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, when asked about what the following pressing need is for this club.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
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Dennis Bernstein: “It (Panarin’s extension) doesn’t put pressure on them (the Kings) this season, so Kenny Holland can do his work, and there’s work to be done. Make no mistake about it. It doesn’t stamp them as a Stanley Cup contender today. They do have to make moves where it needs is, logically, in the center.
Anze Kopitar retires next season. Byfield’s had a difficult season. You actually don’t have a 2C behind this team. So what would you, what would that mean from a trade aspect? Although they lost (Liam) Greentree might make it harder. Robert Thomas a 2C behind, or perhaps even a 1C, and see where Byfield is at? Or do you go make a move? They do have some cap space. Do you go get a Vincent Trocheck, who would slot in nicely as well?
So the work that Kenny Holland has to do needs to be in the center. Now, they got a break, not a break here but, however the kid on the fourth line, Sami Helenius, the large 6’6″ Finn. He began developing to a top quality 4C. He really is and scored a few goals. He’s not afraid to take a shot. He’s big and desires to be slightly bit more physical.
The hot button is Alex Turcotte. He really hasn’t developed the best way they thought they might, in order that puts the onus on them to go get center in order that they could do it in season. But I believe the work might be going to are available the offseason. But they do have to shore up the middle position in the event that they wish to get to the extent of a real contender within the West?”
Besides Vincent Trocheck, who may not wish to go to the West Coast and, from the sounds of it, doesn’t wish to, the Kings could take a look at Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, in the event that they want go the trade route. Could they sign Nick Schmaltz in free agency and make one other move? That’s one other possibility.
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However the Los Angeles Kings need a middle now that the scoring winger piece is filled.”
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